INTERNAL MEDICINE

I felt that the most valuable activities for the institution were the formal didactic lectures and “chalk board” talks I gave. These lectures provided an academic structure to the clinical day, and ensured that the residents and trainees were getting a complete and modern medical education to complement their clinical experience.”

-HVO Internal Medicine Volunteer to Cambodia

READY TO VOLUNTEER?

There are multiple steps to the placement process and often more than one approval is required. The process varies slightly from country-to-country and project-to-project. We strive to make this process as quick as possible but potential volunteers should be aware that final approval can take several months.

ACTIVE PROJECTS

Thimphu, Bhutan – National Referral Hospital and Royal Institute of Health Sciences (RIHS)
Volunteers provide training in general medicine, sub-specialty areas and continuing education to staff at the National Referral Hospital. They also work with faculty at the RIHS to train health assistants and nursing students through seminars, lectures (sit-down and on ward), physical exam training and patient evaluations.

San Jose, Costa Rica – San Juan de Dios Hospital, the Hospital Rafael Ángel Calderón Guardia, & Mexico Hospital
HVO volunteers will provide training to residents through didactic training, ward rounds, and bedside training, as well as educate residents through lectures on various topics chosen in partnership with on-site personnel. Volunteers will also work with faculty to improve teaching skills, provide guidance and mentoring to residency program directors, and guide both residents and hospital staff in clinical investigation projects and biostatistics research. Volunteers may work at more than one hospital during their assignment.

Bangalore, India – Bangalore Baptist Hospital
Project goals are to provide medical education to internal medicine residents, nursing students, and special health education programs for the local community. Daily schedules include accompanying attending and house staff on rounds, participating in bedside teaching and discussion, and lectures.

Tansen, Nepal – Lumbini Medical College (LMC)
HVO volunteers will improve knowledge and skills of LMC medical students through didactic lectures and clinical instruction. Volunteers will also work with LMC personnel to improve the quality of patient care and patient education by implementing clinical care pathways and assisting in program development and training of LMC personnel on community based education initiatives.

Assignment: 3-4 weeks

Teaching Topics: Internal medicine – all topics

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: No.

Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; several years of experience preferred

Kampala, Uganda – Mulago Hospital
Volunteers provide training for the faculty in the Department of Medicine. Bedside teaching rounds, mentoring trainees on outpatient rounds, lectures for faculty and medical students are aspects of the program. This project offers an ideal opportunity for both generalists and sub-specialists.

Assignment: 1 month

Teaching Topics: Internal medicine – all topics

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.

Mbarara, Uganda – Mbarara University of Science and Technology
Volunteers improve the quality of care offered through the internal medicine department by educating clinician-educators on a variety of topics through rounds, lectures and clinical instruction. Volunteers are assigned to either the Immune Suppression (AIDS) Clinic or the medical wards.

Assignment: 1 month

Teaching Topics: Internal medicine – all topics

Opportunities for Those-in-Training: Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.